It's Friday night and for the first time in a long time, I'm not alone. Instead, I'm with Dan Humphrey, who happens to be just as cute as I remembered. I thought perhaps my fall had rendered my judgment inept the night of the wedding but his cheekbones are just as sharp as I remember. And so is his wit.
We're sitting at the bar in The Carlyle and I must admit, so far I haven't regretted my decision to meet up with him tonight. He showed up on time, looks presentable, somewhat unruly hair aside, and has been chivalrous. Then again, it's not like I have any other relevant experiences lately to compare to.
After ordering us drinks, he looks at me. "So what made you finally decide to meet me for drinks? It's been what? Three weeks?" Dan glances at his phone's calendar to confirm the amount of time that has passed.
I take a deep sip of my gin cocktail, savoring the strong flavor of the herbal infused alcohol. "Serena is getting married." I say it like I've just announced the country is on the brink of war.
"Serena?" He stares at me blankly waiting for further explanation.
I sigh, "She's my best friend, but basically my sister. We've been best friends for our entire lives." It's the only way I can explain us.
"And you wanted to get married first?" He deducts falsely.
I shake my head. "It's not that. It's just, well, you don't know Serena so it's hard to explain. But long story short, the whole wedding will fall on me. All of the planning. I'll have to decide on the caterers, go to all the alteration fittings, taste the cake, book the band…" I trail off, winded.
"So don't." Dan says simply.
I turn and give him an incredulous look. "You're kidding?"
"Why would I be? If all of that sounds so exhausting to you, just don't do it. It's not your wedding so it's not your responsibility." He shrugs and takes a sip of his beer.
"I can't just say no. Our friendship… It's always been a little rocky. But for the past few years, it's been really good so I don't want to ruin that by saying no when she needs me most." I take another gulp of my drink. "Anyways, to properly answer your question. I finally agreed to this," I gesture between us. "Because I really needed a drink and being in the company of a total marriage hater seemed suitable."
"Fair enough," Dan relents.
After that, he doesn't press me anymore on Serena and it feels good to have a break from talking about her.
"So battled over any more bouquets lately?" The smile he gives me makes me laugh in memory.
"No, but karma really was a bitch for Penelope after that." I'm excited to have a new topic to discuss, one that actually cheers me. "Coming off her high from catching the bouquet, she got a little overconfident. She was convinced that the next guy who asked her out had to be the one. Long story short, she ended up dating a guy that sniffed glue for three weeks."
"Glue?" Dan asks. "I didn't realize people still did that."
"Apparently so, Penelope kept trying to justify it too as a treatment for his migraines," I smirk. "She finally admitted that it turned out he was on parole and was too nervous to be caught buying drugs again."
"Well, at least that's one less wedding you have to be in." Dan remarks.
"What about you? Why were you at that wedding anyway? I don't think you ever told me." I realize suddenly.
"Oh," Dan looks down at his beer. "It was a work thing."
"You work with the groom?" I surmise.
"You could say that." Dan asks and then changes the topic onto that of my job. I bounce back to asking him more about his but still, he's vague. I decide he must not be a very good writer or must just be an intern because why else would he be so shy about it?
Despite his mysteriousness, we have a good time and I stay for two more rounds of drinks. We laugh like old friends and I realize I should have put myself out there and met someone new a long time ago.
I relish in the ease of the evening until I realize it's past 10 and I have work in the morning. Dan pays for the drinks and helps me into my coat, leading me outside. But it's once we're outside in the brisk air that I realize I have no idea what the appropriate goodbye gesture is. Was this a date? Or just friends hanging out?
I decide to go neutral, swaying a little in my heels. "This was surprisingly fun. Thank you, I think it's what I needed."
Dan smiles and nods. "Will I see you again soon? Or not until another friend in which you have a complicated relationship announces their engagement?" He asks wryly.
I pretend to ponder it, "Perhaps you'll see me sooner than you think. I have your number, anyway." I hold up my phone and pretend to be annoyed.
He chuckles, amused as I step forward and hail a cab. "I hope you kept those Friday nights penciled in."
"I guess you'll find out." I shoot him a coy smile before climbing into my cab.
The smile stays on my face until I get home and see Serena sitting on my cab. For a little while, I had forgotten all about her.
"Where were you?" Serena asks with keen interest.
I'm mildly offended because the implication is clear. She thinks my social life sans her is nonexistent and I would have nowhere else to be but at home reading more articles by Lincoln Hall. Well, she couldn't be more wrong.
"Out." I say vaguely. "Drinks at The Carlyle."
"Oooh," Serena says raising her eyebrows. "With who? I know The Carlyle isn't exactly Georgina's scene. Didn't you say she always complains they skimp on alcohol there?"
"She says that about everywhere." I wave her comment away.
"You didn't answer my question." Serena points out.
"With a guy. A friend."
"A friend? I want details. Are you sure it's just a friend?" She presses.
I roll my eyes and ignore her. "I'm going to bed. It's a Sunday which means I have work in the morning, unlike some people." I shoot her a meaningful look as I rise from the couch and head for my room.
"Okay, okay. But I expect details at some point. Oh, I almost forgot. I have a favor to ask." I turn back from the door to my bedroom to see her in the hallway giving me her 'pretty please' look and groan.
"What is it?" I say a little impatiently.
"Do you think you could use one of your connections to book Nate and I a cake tasting appointment at Magnolia next weekend? Preferable Sunday since Saturday he has his volunteer thing."
"I'll try." I say noncommittally. "Goodnight, S."
"Night, B." Her beaming smile shines across the hallway.
The atmosphere is syrupy sweet as Serena, Nate, and I walk into Magnolia Bakery on Sunday morning. It's eerily quiet, not even open yet for business, and only the occasional whirl of a mixer can be heard. Serena and Nate have the face of children walking into a candy factory as they survey the delicate desserts being neatly arranged in the windows.
"Blair, I can't believe you managed to get us in here on such short notice. You really are the best." Serena gives me a gracious look.
I lead us straight to the head chef, eager to get this over with. Saying I feel like a third wheel would be a bit pointless because of course, I do. Who accompanies a couple on their cake tasting other than their planner? It makes it so much worse that I'm single.
"Ms. Waldorf, I am so pleased to see you again." The chef shakes my hand and then I introduce him to Nate and Serena. "So this is the happy couple? I hear you two lovebirds are very eager to get married."
"We are," Serena links her arm through Nate's, inciting yet another feeling of nausea. "We can't wait to be Mr. and Mrs. Archibald. We just know one of your cakes will be perfect for our special day.
I stifle a retching noise. "Let's get to it, shall we? We only have 30 minutes before our next appointment." I remind Serena curtly.
The chef answers instead. "Of course, Ms. Waldorf. Miss van der Woodsen and Mr. Archibald, if you'll just follow me this way we can get started on the tasting." He leads us out of the kitchen and toward the dining area which is neatly set up with nearly a dozen different cakes. All of them are exquisitely presented and each is accompanied by a few squares of cut pieces.
We're all still staring at them with wonder when the sound of footsteps breaks the quiet. Then, there's a voice which I swear I recognize. But it can't be, because what would he be doing here?
"Am I late?" I turn around to see… what the fuck? It is Dan Humphrey!
"Oh good, you made it!" Serena rushes over to him and proffers her hand. "I'm Serena and this is my fiance Nate-"
I march over and I interrupt their introductions. I'm being rude, but I don't care. I need answers. Now. "What are you doing here?"
Serena looks between us confusedly. "You know him personally, Blair? I thought you were more of an admirer from afar."
"An admirer? What are you talking about Serena?" I stare at her, bewildered.
"Lincoln Hall!" She gestures toward Dan before grasping my arm reassuringly. "Oh, she's being shy. She's your biggest fan. She saves all of your articles. You should see, she even stores them all in a-"
"No, I don't!" I say quickly as I finally catch up to the conversation. Dan... is Lincoln Hall? I still can't quite reconcile their identities but I need to stop Serena from her babbling. "I saved a couple for research purposes. It was part of my maid of honor duties a while back, I needed inspiration."
"Ah," Dan nods with a skeptical look on our face. "Right, sounds very practical."
Before Serena can say more, I push her back toward where Nate and the chef are talking. "They're waiting for you, Serena. Go start trying cakes. I'll just have a word with…" I frown. "Lincoln here."
"Call me, Dan, please." Dan corrects looking between us.
Serena dutifully goes back over toward Nate and I shove Dan into the nearest corner. "Lincoln Hall? What the fuck?" I glare at him accusatorily.
"A pseudonym. It's quite common actually." Dan says easily.
"No, how are you Lincoln Hall, the esteemed wedding writer? I thought you hated weddings and all they stood for." I cross my arms.
Dan shrugs. "I think my personal feelings on weddings is irrelevant."
"Is that so? I don't. I can't believe you are Lincoln Hall. The things you write, it just doesn't add up." I shake my head. "How do I know you aren't some imposter?"
"Name a wedding I've covered since you're such a big fan," He smirks. "I'll tell you some details from it."
"The Hampstead wedding." I say instantly, wishing I didn't know every single ceremony he covered. Now I seem more stalkerish than ever.
"The bride floated down the aisle as swaths of delicate white satin trailed behind her and the faint sound of violins filled the church-" Dan starts reciting until I cut him off.
"Okay, so you are him. But now I know Lincoln Hall is a hack." I furrow my brow. "This is such a disappointment."
"Sorry to have shattered all your hopes and dreams." Dan says sardonically.
"So why are you covering my best friend's and my boss's wedding? You had to have recognized the name since I told you about them." I turn it back around on him.
"Actually no, it was a Cecilia Rhodes that hired me. If I had known you would be here, I would have revealed myself prior to this, so as not to cause such an uproar. Although I wouldn't have guessed you would be so fixated on this."
"Cece hired you, that makes sense. Serena's grandmother would want her favorite granddaughter's wedding given as much attention as possible." I roll my eyes.
"She did request the front page of the section." Dan informs.
"Of course she did. Well, you better go get started on the coverage. It looks like there's some riveting action you're missing out on." I gesture toward Serena who's feeding Nate a piece of rosemary vanilla cake. "Meanwhile, pardon me while I go vomit."
As Dan joins them at the table, equipped with a notebook and pen, I take a seat at an empty table in the corner. I pull up my work inbox and furiously type away as I respond to emails, desperate for a distraction. This whole wedding is becoming more nightmarish by the second, first Serena gets engaged to the man I'm in love with, then she secures my favorite writer to cover her wedding, then it turns out said writer is a total fraud. It's as though I'm being punished for some horrible deed, what next? She'll probably make me wear putrid green as my maid of honor dress.
As we leave the bakery half an hour later, we all gather just outside the door. Nate and Serena are discussing next steps with Dan until he turns the focus to me. "Blair, I was thinking it would be great to get some insight from you into Nate and Serena's relationship for the article. Would you be free to meet this week?"
"I'm incredibly busy helping Serena with the wedding planning and with work so I don't think so." I respond curtly, pulling my phone out of my purse.
Nate quickly jumps in, "Blair, if it's too much on your plate I'd be happy to have Nelly help you out a bit more around the office. She did request more hours and I know how much you do for us."
"Oh, B, please help with the article!" Serena exclaims. "No one knows me better than you and it would be so special to us." Serena squeezes Nate's hand and the very sight of their clasped hands is enough to make me retreat in defeat.
"Fine, I'll text you my availability," I say tersely to Dan. "Now, I must be going. I'll speak to you later this week." I offer him my hand to shake.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." He echoes my business-like tone but gives me a wry smile.
I ignore the expression and stalk off to hail a cab before I can get roped into any more nausea-inducing favors. I shake my head to myself as I climb into the cab, sinking back into the seat and wishing I could wake up already from this bad dream.
